World News Quick Take

Agencies

CHINA

Ministry protests US ban

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lodged a formal complaint with Washington over US sanctions against a leading state arms maker and other firms over alleged arms deals with North Korea, Syria and Iran. The US State Department said Poly Technologies is among companies barred from dealing with the US government or purchasing US military hardware for two years. The ministry yesterday said the US’ actions seriously violate the norms of international relations and undermine national interests.

UNITED STATES

US believes radar lock

Washington said it believed Japanese allegations that China activated its weapons-guiding radar last month in an escalation of tensions between the two Asian powers in the East China Sea. China denies Japanese claims that Chinese naval vessels locked their radar onto a Japanese destroyer and helicopter. However, US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland on Monday said that the US was briefed by Japan, and “we have satisfied ourselves that it does appear to have happened.” Washington said it takes no stance in the sovereignty dispute, but opposes “unilateral actions” undermining Japan’s administration of the islands.

UNITED STATES

Guard awaits jail term

The government is recommending a 17-and-a-half-year prison term for a US security guard who has admitted he tried to sell secret photos and other secret information to the Chinese Ministry of State Security after he lost US$159,000 in the stock market. The Justice Department said Bryan Underwood took photographs of restricted areas at the new US consulate in Guangzhou and planned to use them to help China eavesdrop on US officials. Underwood drafted a letter expressing his desire to work for the Chinese ministry, but was turned away when he attempted to deliver it.

AUSTRALIA

Fine dining at McDonald’s

In a world first, a local McDonald’s franchise is offering full table service for its dine-in customers, complete with china plates, glassware and metal utensils in place of usual paper boxes and plastic. Meals are also brought to the table by servers, and diners can daintily dab their lips with cloth napkins after eating. “It’s very popular,” store manager Michelle Steain said of the five-week trial service. “Everyone seems to be loving it.”

PAKISTAN

Taliban bans Viagra

The head of a trade association for a large market in Peshawar says the Taliban have warned shopkeepers not to sell sex-related drugs like Viagra or obscene films because they are against Islam. Shamsher Khan Afridi said he received a text message from the Taliban on Saturday with the warning. Afridi said on Monday that he distributed a pamphlet to thousands of shopkeepers in the Karkhano market asking them to comply with the order.

UNITED STATES

‘Zombie attack’ in Montana

A Montana TV station’s regular programming was interrupted by news of a zombie apocalypse. The Montana Television Network says hackers broke into the Emergency Alert System of Great Falls affiliate KRTV and its CW station on Monday. KRTV said on its Web site the hackers broadcast that “dead bodies are rising from their graves” in several Montana counties. The alert claimed the bodies were “attacking the living” and warned people that they were extremely dangerous.” The network says engineers are investigating.